Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Aquatica, Seaworld's brand new water park, is Orlando's first new theme park to open in eight years. The waterpark features a dolphin plunge, lazy river rides, racing slides, interactive play areas and a total of 36 slides. Amenities include 3 restaurants (all counter service), private cabanas and specialty shops.

After spending a few hours there for the first day of the Passport Member's Preview and the entire afternoon on second day, I just have one thing to say. I Loved It!

The first day of the sneek peak, the weather was cool, gray and overcast when I left the house, not a great day for photographing a waterpark. Monday, the second day of the preview, was picture perfect with blue skies and white puffy clouds.

On Sunday, I was hoping the weather would keep the crowds to a minimum but that was not the case. Traffic was backed up on International Drive and it took about 15 minutes to reach the preferred parking lot. Since the park wasn't scheduled to open until 10 am everyone was waiting in line. The line reached all the way down to the "team member" parking lot. It took about 25 minutes to reach the entrance and receive my free Aquatica T-shirt. It was like day and night when I returned on Monday, I pratically had the waterpark to myself. As an Orlando resident, you could almost say I live for park days like this.

There was some confusion when it came time to enter the park. The preview days were for annual passholders only or as SeaWorld calls us "PassPort Members" and everyone had to have a reservation with a confirmation number to participate.

Most people were able to sign up online and print out a reservation confirmation to use at the gate. Apparently, I was not the only person that did not receive the mailed invitation and was not able to sign up online even though I upgraded my Platinum Pass to include the waterpark. I met a very nice couple while waiting in line who were in the same boat because we only had a handwritten number that was given to us when we RSVP'd by calling guest services.

An Aquatica team member, who seemed to be directing things, told my new friends to get in the guest services line since they did not follow directions and print out the reservation confirmation. Those were her exact words. Hmm....not a good way to start our first visit to a new park.

The guest service line looked like it would have added at least an hour's wait time before I could enter the park. I took a chance and went through the security bag search line and handed my pass to the smiling people at the turnstile and I was inside the park in few minutes. Hmm.....again. I jumped up and down and waived to my new friends til I caught their attention. When they realized I was waiving to them from "inside" the park, they quickly did the same thing I did.

Aquatica is beautifully landscaped and the design of the park flows well. It is easy to navigate and, for the most part, I knew where I was because of the signage. I was so excited on the way in that I forgot to pick up a map. I think they call my kind of touring, flying by the sit of your pants. One of the nicest things about Aquatica is how family friendly it is. There is something for everyone.

I was a bit surprised by the Australian theme and the odd names of some of the slides like Whanau Way, Walhalla Wave and Taumata Racer.

Aquatica's signature attractions are Dolphin Plunge for the more adventure some and Loggerhead Lane for the rest of us.

What makes these two attractions stand out? Both involve the black and white Commerson's Dolphins which are usually found in the shallow waters off the southern tip of South America. These dolphins look like mini versions of Shamu. As far as I know, Aquatica is the only waterpark to have dolphins of any type.

Dolphin Plunge sends you through the dolphin's exhibit in a clear tube as you reach the end of your ride. Loggerhead Lane is a small winding river-like attraction that you float down and around in air tubes passing the Fish Grotto and the Commerson's Dolphin Exhibit. For those not wishing to get wet (I know that sounds a little odd at a waterpark but not everyone goes into the water) you can stop by the underwater viewing area.

Commerson's Dophins eat approximately 10% of their weight daily, so every few hours you can watch the trainers interacting with the dolphins. Just ask a team member at the lagoon area for that day's feeding schedule when you enter the park. Lauren, one the trainers was such a good sport to hold up their lunch for me. Besides being a good spot, she was very friendly and knowledable about the dolphins.

The wave pools, that's right pools as in plural, Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores will be popular places to cool off . From what the lifeguards told me, Big Surf Shores is the less intense wave pool between the two. You can also just relax in the hundreds of lounge chairs on the sandy beach area. Or find a spot to relax under the largest beach umbrellas I have ever seen.

I stopped by one of the sets of lockers to ask about the rental fee since I thought they were complimentary during this sneak peek. I was told they were not free which is odd because I was sure I had heard that anounced as I waited in line to enter the park. And the last thing my friends said to me once we were all inside Aquatica, was they were going to get a FREE lockers.

A small locker rents for $8 and a larger locker for $10. Included in the price is a $3 deposit which helps to ensure that the locker keys are returned. Unlike the Disney's waterparks, Aquatica will return your deposit in SeaWorld "dollars" or "credits" instead of cash. Same thing for $4 towel rental, you will get your $2 deposit back in park credits which can be used at SeaWorld or Aquatica. I don't agree with this policy and would prefer to have cash back since most people are leaving the park when they clear their lockers and return the key.

After taking photos of both the Taumata Racer Slides and Roa's Rapids, it was time for lunch. The same team member who I talked to about the lockers had told me that everyone was getting 10% off the all you can eat lunch at the Banana Beach Cookout. Well, it hit me later everyone was getting 10% off because we are passholders.

All you have to say to me is "all you can eat cheeseburgers" and I was sold on the cookout. There are two options, an all day pass for $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 3-9. Or a One Time Visit for $12.95 for adults and $7,95. The menu included burgers, hot dogs, baked chicken drumsticks (yummy), veggie burgers, mini corn on cob, potato salad, cole slaw, banana pudding and watermelon. Soft drinks are included. The food was good but not great. I will say that food was nice and hot for a buffet. If you have big eaters in your group this is the place where you will get the most bang for your buck.

Look for the second part of this blog in next few days or so. We will visit the WaterStone Grill for lunch. Then on to Kata's Kookaburra Cove for toddlers, Mango Market, Walkabout Waters which is an inactive family play area and rest of the new park.